Oh the Humanity!

Do we take these genealogical accounts for granted? Do we realize the sheer volume of human life represented here? I've never been good at the counting jelly beans in a jar, game, but would guess that there are over 1000 names listed in the first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles. You hear about the now famous Jabez and it's too bad the book got such a bad rap, because he was obviously a great man of faith (ask for what you want in my name and I'll give it to you). We get a reminder of Rueben's little... ahem... run in with his dad's concubine that ended up costing him his rights as firstborn (Jerry! Jerry!).

This whole list of names reminds me of the opening shot of a movie (and also of idea behind this creepy artwork). It's like the camera sweeps over a wide space and slowly zooms in on one particular detail of an unimaginably large story.

Perhaps there's even a little prophecy thrown in here for good measure.

...Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him...

Bored yet?